. >> reporter: house speaker john boehner failed to get enough vote for his plan b on thursday. that would have raised taxes on people making more than a million dollars a year. on friday, they left town with no deal. >> i've asked leaders of congress to work toward a package that prevent as tax hike on middle-class americans, protects unemployment insurance for 2 million americans and lays the groundwork for further work on both growth and deficit reduction. >> raising taxes could still be red ink as far as i can see and it would hurt jobs. >> reporter: some long-time lawmakers are dismayed by the perpetual gridlock. >> i feel it's more likely we'll go over the cliff than not and if we allow that to happen, it will be the most colossal consequential act of irresponsible in a long time --er responsibility. >> reporter: president obama is in hawaii. he says he will cut his vacation short to try to hammer out a deal. the deadline a week away. >> if congress does not get anything done, then taxes will most likely go up for everyone. just about everyone on january 1st. unemployment